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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-16, Page 45Pogo 21 Local government of Colborne da es back to 1836 = s� taxed so many doliarsRand so much labor on the road, with m h and team. At this time the price set folia man's labor was 75 cents per day, with a team counting the same as two men. Pathnnasters' duties were to select the gravel pits from which to draw, keep track of time spent by each Worker, spread the gravel often falling out with his neighbors by making them draW the proper sized load. If two pathmasters decided to draw from the same gravel pit there was an unwritten law that the firat team m the pit decided who should have the choice of the place to load. In one in- stance where this law was put to the test one man jumped his team over the face of the pit, upsetting his wagon, splitting his reach and leaving his box behind; but he won his case. In addition to this statute labor on the roads the Council annually Made inspec- tion of the roads, deciding where the worst places were, and contracts were let to the lowest bidder for the repair of these places. On April 20th, 1920, statute labor was abolished in Colborne Township, and advantage being taken of Provincial grants a road superintendent was ap- pointed to carry out instructions of . the Council. Work done had to be approved by the Provincial Engineer to be eligible for grants. Mr. Levi Snyder was the first man to fill this position of road,superintendent. Men and teams for gravelling were superseded. by trucks, with much greater efficiency. Horse graders and slush scrapers used to construct and repair roads until 1946 were replaced by power used to construct and repair roads until 1946 were replaced by power.implements. These power implements are used also in Colborne Thwnship Hall - CarloW snow -ploughing! which 11as become an essential work m road Maintenance. Little change in the assessment of pro- perty is noticeable until 1948, when a dif- ferent system of land valuation was adopted -This is under the supervision of a County Assessor and is hoped to lead to a more uniform assessment for county p asrpossesof Health had been appointed by the Council annually, as well as a Sanitary Inspector. These consisted of a medical doctor, the Reeve, and, two ratepayers, and operated until 198, when the County Health Unit was established, and all con- trol was taken out of local jurisdiction. Two ratepayers were appointed each year to audit the Township books until 1938, when licensed auditors had to be ap- pointed. In 1946 the Provincial Iislature adopted a uniform set of books for all municipalities and required that these be audited by a chartered accountant, Mr. Cecil Attridge being the first appointee for Colborne. No record is obtainable of the building of the township hall, but in May, 1917, the McDonagh Hotel at Carlow was purchased for the use of Council and public meetings. In 1918 the open shed between the old hall and the new was sold for $57 and the hall itself was sold to Bisset Brothers for $200. THE CENTRALIZING TREND In the preceding lines has been set out a brief summary of events in municipal history and progress. In these events it is quite noticeable that the trend is toward more Provincial direction, with less authority vested in the local Council. In fact, it is quite often said that it is only a 'question of time until we shall not have township or county councils. Best Wishes in your 150th Birthday Celebrations Colborne Township "Serving the area for over 25 years" Congratulations Colborne Township! We've arrived just in time to help the people of Colborne Township celebrate their 150th Birthday with "Good Taste" We are proud to call this area "home" and look forward to serving your needs, and contributing to the community for many years to come.. 364 Bayfield Road (In the Home Hardware Plaza) 524-2688 r o,?e,Co,d Sunday to Thursday: . 11:00 a.m. - 11:00pm. Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - midnight From One Oldtimer... to Another. HAPPY 150th COLBORNE TOWNSHIP! We are proud of our association with the people of Colborne Township 1%IcGEE P��T�KC GODERICH CAGDILCAC ESTABLISHED 1929 37 HAMILTON STREET, GODERICH 524-8391 1-800-265-5507 .